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Just in time for the holidays, about 50,000 workers nationwide are receiving a welcome gift from their employers.

Retailers drop on-call scheduling

Six major retailers have agreed to stop using on-call shift scheduling after an inquiry by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, along with attorneys general from seven other states and the District of Columbia.

Here are those six retailers:

Aeropostale

Carter’s

David’s Tea

Disney

PacSun

Zumiez

If you’re not familiar, on-call employees are typically required to call their employer an hour or two before a scheduled shift to find out if they need to report to work. Critics of this practice say that unpredictable work schedules take a severe toll on employees.

“On-call shifts are not a business necessity and should be a thing of the past. People should not have to keep the day open, arrange for child care, and give up other opportunities without being compensated for their time,” said Attorney General Schneiderman in a statement. “I am pleased that these companies have stepped up to the plate and agreed to stop using this unfair method of scheduling.”

Instead of on-call shifts, the companies have implemented pool arrangements to handle unexpected absences and changes in business volume.

Four of the retailers mentioned above, Carter’s, Disney, David’s Tea and Zumiez, also said they would provide employees with their work schedules at least one week in advance so that workers can have adequate time to plan their lives.

Following a previous inquiry by Attorney General Schneiderman in 2015, Abercrombie & Fitch, Gap, J.Crew, Urban Outfitters, Pier 1 Imports and L Brands (parent company of Bath & Body Works and Victoria’s Secret) all agreed to end on-call shifts.